Protective athletic garment

ABSTRACT

A protective athletic garment includes a pair of shoulder protection plates, a pair of epaulets coupled to the shoulder protection plate, and at least one rear arch plate adapted to cover at least a portion of a back of a user, wherein at least one rear arch plate is coupled with the at least one shoulder protection plate and includes a lower portion that extends downwardly and is adapted to cover an upper lumbar region of a back of a user, and a pair of first side portions adapted to wrap about each side of a user. The protective athletic garment also includes at least one front arch plate adapted to cover at least a portion of a chest of a user, coupled to the pair of shoulder protection plates and having a body portion defining a forwardly-facing first surface and a pair of relief areas extending outwardly from the first surface defining a cavity within an interior of the garment that is adapted to receive a pectoral area of a user, a lower portion that extends downwardly and is adapted to cover an upper abdominal area of a user, and a pair of second side portions adapted to wrap about each side of a user. The garment also includes a padding member operably coupled to at least a select one of the rear arch plate and the front plate.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.60/519,446, filed Nov. 12, 2003, entitled PROTECTIVE SHOULDER GEAR FORWOMEN, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a protective athletic garment for protectingathletes during sporting competition, and in particular to an athleticshoulder pad specifically adapted to protect the unique physicalattributes of female athletes.

Typically, athletes competing in sporting events such as football,lacrosse, and ice and field hockey wear protective gear generallycomprised of structural members lined with padding, such as athleticshoulder pads. These shoulder pads are typically bilaterally symmetricaland are generally comprised of right and left body arch members thatextend over the shoulders of the user and include anterior and posteriorportions, or depending chest and back portions, which overlie the chestand back area of the user. The posterior portions, or depending packportions, may be permanently hinged together on a vertical axis over theathlete's back or spine, while the anterior portion, or depending chestportions, are connected together in a vertical line over the athlete'ssternum as by means of straps or lacing. Typically, conventionalshoulder pads also utilize a pad disposed beneath the body arch members.The structural members, such as the body arch members, as well asconventional shoulder cups and epaulets are manufactured from a suitableclass of material having the requisite strength characteristics towithstand the forces of impact incurred during competition.

Heretofore, the majority of competitors participating in theaforementioned sports have been male, with most protective gear beingdesigned with the protection of the same in mind. As a result, theunique physical attributes of female athletes have not been consideredduring the design and construction of protective athletic equipment,such as athletic shoulder pads. In particular, athletic shoulder pads ofprevious design do not provide sufficient space for or adequateprotection of the breast area, the upper abdominal area and upper lumbarareas, and the like, of the female athlete.

A protective athletic garment is desired that provides an increase ofprotection for female athletes during contact sports, and in particularprovides sufficient protection for unique female attributes, whilesimultaneously maintaining or increasing the comfort to the user.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One aspect of the present invention is to provide a protective athleticgarment that includes a pair of shoulder protection plates adapted tocover at least one portion of each shoulder of a user, and a pair ofepaulets adapted to cover at least a portion of each shoulder of a user,wherein the pair of epaulets are coupled to the pair of shoulderprotection plates, and wherein a top surface of each epaulet extendsdownwardly from a horizontal when in a free state of movement. Theathletic garment also includes at least one rear arch plate adapted tocover at least a portion of a back of a user, wherein the at least onerear arch plate is coupled with the at least one shoulder protectionplate, and wherein the at least one rear arch plate includes a lowerportion that extend downwardly and is adapted to cover an upper lumbarregion of a back of a user, and a pair of first side portions adapted towrap around each side of a user. The athletic garment further includesat least one front arch plate adapted to cover at least a portion of achest of a user, coupled to the pair of shoulder protection plates, andhaving a body portion defining a forwardly-facing first surface and apair of relief areas extending outwardly from the first surface defininga cavity within an interior of the garment adapted to receive a pectoralarea of a user, a lower portion that extends downwardly and is adaptedto cover an upper abdominal area of a user, and a pair of second sideportions adapted to wrap about each side of a user. The athletic garmentfurther includes a padding member operably coupled to at least a selectone of the at least one rear arch plate and the at least one front archplate, wherein the padding is configured and oriented to provide a gapbetween an upper most portion of the padding adapted to cover eachshoulder of a user, and an uppermost portion of each of the at least onerear arch plate and the at least one front arch plate when the paddingis in a free state of movement.

Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a protectiveathletic garment that includes a shoulder portion adapted to protect ashoulder area of a user from impact, and a rear portion adapted toprotect at least a portion of a back of a user from impact, wherein therear portion is coupled with the shoulder portion. The protectiveathletic garment further includes a substantially rigid front portionadapted to cover the pectoral area of a user, and having a pair ofbreast-shaped relief areas extending outwardly from the first surfacedefining a pair of cavities greater than or substantially equal in sizeto an A-cup and adapted to receive a pectoral area of a user.

The present inventive athletic shoulder pads provide an increase ofprotection for female athletes during contact sports, and in particularprovides sufficient protection for unique female attributes, whilesimultaneously maintaining or increasing the comfort to the user. Theseshoulder pads are economical to manufacture, allow ease-of-use, and areparticularly well adapted fro the proposed use.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top and front perspective view of the protective athleticgarment embodying the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top and rear perspective view of the protective athleticgarment;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the protective athletic garment; and

FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view of the protective athletic garment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper,” “lower,” “right,”“left,” “rear,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivativesthereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in FIG. 1. However, itis to be understood that the invention may assume various alternativeorientations and step sequences, except where expressly specified to thecontrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices andprocesses illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in thefollowing specification are exemplary embodiments of the inventiveconcepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions andother physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosedherein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expresslystate otherwise.

The reference numeral 10 (FIGS. 1 and 2) generally designates aprotective athletic garment embodying the present invention. In theillustrated example, the protective garment or shoulder pads 10 includesa pair of curved shoulder protection plates 12 having a top surface 14and a bottom surface 16, and is adapted to cover at least a portion of arespective shoulder of a user. The shoulder pads 10 also include a pairof epaulets 18 each having a top surface 20 and a bottom surface 22 andare adapted to cover at least a portion of a respective shoulder of theuser.

The shoulder pads 10 further include a pair of rear arch plates 24adapted to cover at least a portion of the back of the user, and a pairof front arch plates 26 adapted to cover the front of the user andcoupled to the shoulder protection plates 12. The shoulder protectionplates 12, the epaulets 18 and the rear and front arch plates 24, 26 areeach constructed of a hardened, impact resistant material such as ahardened plastic or vinyl. The shoulder pads 10 further include apadding member 28 operably coupled to the rear arch plate 24 and thefront arch plate 26 within an interior 30 of the shoulder pads 10, andthat is adapted to cover the back and front of the user.

Each epaulet 18 includes a rigid shell 32 and a pad member 34 secured tothe bottom surface 22 so as to provide padding between the shell 32 andthe shoulder of the user. The top surface 20 of each epaulet 18 isdownwardly curved in the increasingly lateral direction at an angle θthat is greater than or equal to at least 10° when in a free state ofmovement in order to provide a more comfortable fit for female athletesthat typically have deltoid muscle development less than their malecounterparts.

Each rear arch plate 24 includes an upper portion 36 having aforwardly-curved upper edge 38 adapted to partially cover a shoulder ofthe user, and a lower portion 40 adapted to cover the upper lumbarregion of the user, and having a lower edge 42 located so as to extendbelow the lowermost rib of a typical user. Each rear arch plate 24further includes an inner surface 39, an outer surface 41, an inner edge44, and an outer edge 48. The outer edge 48 extending along the lowerportion 40 of each rear arch plate 24 includes a forwardly-sweeping sideportion 50 configured so as to protect the ribs and kidney area of theuser. Each side portion 50 includes a plurality of binding apertures 54located proximate the outer edge 48, and as further discussed below.

Each front arch plate 26 includes an upper portion 56 having arearwardly-curved upper edge 58 that is adapted to cover a portion ofthe respective shoulder of the user, and a lower portion 60 adapted tocover the upper abdominal area of the user and having a lower edge 62extending below the lowermost rib of the typical user. Each front archplate 26 further includes an inner edge 64 and an outer edge 66. Theouter edge 66 extending along the lower portion 60 of each front archplate 26 includes a rearwardly sweeping portion 68 configured tocooperate with the side portion 50 of the corresponding rear arch plate24 to protect the side of the user. Each side portion 68 includes aplurality of apertures 54 adapted to receive binding therein incooperation with the apertures 54 of a respective rear arch plate 24,thereby securely fastening the outer edge 48 of each rear arch plate 24to an outer edge 66 of a corresponding front arch plate 26. Each frontarch plate 26 further includes an outwardly-extending breast-shapedrelief area 72 defining a cavity 74 therein that is adapted to receivethe pectoral area of a user, and specifically is adapted to receive thebreast of a female athlete. The cavities 74 are adapted to providesufficient clearance within the interior 30, thereby providing propercomfort for the user, as well as for providing sufficient protection.Each cavity 74 can be sized so as to provide adequate space and supportfor greater than or equal to an A-cup bra size, and may be specificallydesigned for a particular athlete.

A pair of elongated lace brackets 76 are secured to a respective innersurface 78 of the front arch plates 26 proximate the lower portion 60thereof such that each lace bracket 76 extends inwardly of the inneredge 64 of the corresponding front arch plate 26. Each lace bracket 76includes a plurality of apertures 79 spaced along the length thereof andadapted to receive lacing therein, so as to secure the front arch plates26 to one another and the shoulder pads 10 about the user.Alternatively, the lace brackets 76 may be molded within the paddingmember 28, such that each lace bracket 76 extends inwardly from theassociated inner edge 64.

The padding member 28 includes a left half 80 and a right half 82 eachshaped so as to provide a form fit within the rear arch plates 24 andthe front arch plates 26. Each half 80, 82 of the padding member 28includes an inner edge 86 shaped so as to correspond with the inner edge44 of the rear arch plates 24 and the inner edge 64 of the front archplates 26, and an outer edge 88 shaped so as to correspond to the outeredge 48 of the rear arch plates 24 and the outer edge 66 of the frontarch plates 26. Each half 80, 82 of the padding member 28 includes anoutwardly-extending breast-shaped relief area 81 corresponding to andaligned with a respective relief area 72 of the front arch plates 26.The padding member 28 is fastened to the inner surface 39 of rear archplate 24 and the inner surface 78 of the front arch plates 26 viamechanical-type fasteners (not shown). An upper portion 89 of thepadding member 28 is adapted to cover the shoulder area of the user, andis shaped so as to provide a gap 90 between the upper portion 89 of thepadding member 28 and the upper edge 38 of each rear arch plate 24 andthe upper edge 58 of each front arch plate 26. In the illustratedexample, the gap 90 is greater than or equal to about one inch, therebyproviding additional protection and shock absorption. The inner edge 86of the left half 80 and the right half 82 are coupled with one anothernear the lower portion 40 of each rear arch plate 24 via strapping 94that is in molded within the left half 80 and right half 82, or attachedthereto via mechanical fasteners (not shown).

The present inventive athletic shoulder pads provide an increase ofprotection for female athletes during contact sports, and in particularprovides sufficient protection for unique female attributes, whilesimultaneously maintaining or increasing the comfort to the user. Theseshoulder pads are economical to manufacture, allow ease-of-use, and areparticularly well adapted fro the proposed use.

In the foregoing description, it will be readily appreciated by thoseskilled in the art that modifications may be made to the inventionwithout departing from the concepts disclosed herein. Such modificationsare to be considered as included in the following claims, unless theseclaims by their language expressly state otherwise. Accordingly, thescope of the present invention should be considered in terms of thefollowing claims and is understood not to be limited to the details ofstructure and operation shown and described in the specification anddrawings.

1. A protective athletic garment, comprising: a pair of shoulderprotection plates adapted to cover at least a portion of each shoulderof a user; a pair of epaulets adapted to cover at least a portion ofeach shoulder of a user, wherein the pair of epaulets are coupled to thepair of shoulder protection plates, and wherein a top surface of eachepaulet extends downwardly from a horizontal when in a free state ofmovement; at least one rear arch plate adapted to cover at least aportion of a back of a user, wherein the at least one rear arch plate iscoupled with the at least one shoulder protection plate, and wherein theat least one rear arch plate includes a lower portion that extendsdownwardly and is adapted to cover an upper lumbar region of a back of auser, and a pair of first side portions adapted to wrap about each sideof a user; at least one front arch plate adapted to cover at least aportion of a chest of a user, coupled to the pair of shoulder protectionplates, and having a body portion defining a forwardly facing firstsurface and a pair of relief areas extending outwardly from the firstsurface defining a cavity within an interior of the garment that isadapted to receive a pectoral area of a user, a lower portion thatextends downwardly and is adapted to cover an upper abdominal area of auser, and a pair of second side portions adapted to wrap about each sideof a user; and a padding member operably coupled to at least a selectone of the at least one rear arch plate and the at least one front archplate, wherein the padding is configured and oriented to provide a gapbetween an uppermost portion of the padding adapted to cover eachshoulder of a user, and an upper most portion of each of the at leastone rear arch plate and the at least one front arch plate when thepadding is in a free state of movement.
 2. The protective athleticgarment of claim 1, wherein the cavity is breast-shaped and is greaterthan or substantially equal to an A-cup size.
 3. The protective athleticgarment of claim 1, wherein the at least one rear arch plate includes anupper portion adapted to cover at least a portion of an upper backportion of a user, and wherein the upper portion and the lower portionof the at least one rear arch plate are integrally formed.
 4. Theprotective athletic garment of claim 1, wherein the at least one frontarch plate includes an upper portion adapted to cover at least a portionof a chest of a user, and wherein the upper portion and the lowerportion of the at least one front arch plate are integrally formed. 5.The protective athletic garment of claim 1, wherein the lower portion ofthe at least one rear arch plate extends downwardly to coversubstantially all rib bones of a user.
 6. The protective athleticgarment of claim 1, wherein the lower portion of the at least one frontarch plate extends downwardly to cover substantially all rib bones of auser.
 7. The protective athletic garment of claim 1, wherein the gapbetween the pad and the arch plates is greater than or equal to about 1inch.
 8. The protective athletic garment of claim 1, wherein the padcomprises a foam core and a elastically deformable out covering.
 9. Theprotective athletic garment of claim 1, wherein each epaulet extendsdownwardly at an angle of greater than or equal to about 10° from ahorizontal when in a free state of movement
 10. The protective athleticgarment of claim 1, wherein the at least one rear arch plate includes aleft portion and a right portion divided from one another, the at leastone rear arch plate includes a left portion and a right portion dividedfrom one another, and wherein the left and right portions of the reararch plate and the left and right portions of the front arch plate areoperably coupled via a web structure.
 11. A protective athletic garment,comprising: a shoulder portion adapted to protect a shoulder area of auser from impact; a rear portion adapted to protect at least a portionof a back of a user from impact, wherein the rear portion is coupledwith the shoulder portion; and a substantially rigid front portionadapted to cover the pectoral area of a user, and having a pair ofbreast-shaped relief areas extending outwardly from the first surfacedefining a pair of cavities greater than or substantially equal in sizeto an A-cup and adapted to receive a pectoral area of a user.
 12. Theprotective athletic garment of claim 11, wherein the shoulder portionincludes at least one shoulder protection plate adapted to cover atleast a portion of each shoulder of a user.
 13. The protective athleticgarment of claim 12, wherein the shoulder portion further includes apair of epaulets adapted to cover at least a portion of each shoulder ofa user, wherein the pair of epaulets are coupled to the at least oneshoulder protection plate.
 14. The protective athletic garment of claim13, further including: a padding member operably coupled to at least aselect one of the rear portion and the front portion.
 15. The protectiveathletic garment of claim 14, wherein the rear portion is substantiallyrigid.
 16. The protective athletic garment of claim 15, wherein thefront portion includes a pair of front arch plates each including one ofthe pair of cavities.
 17. The protective athletic garment of claim 16,wherein the rear portion includes a pair of rear arch plates.
 18. Theprotective athletic garment of claim 17, further including a pair oflace brackets each including a plurality of apertures adapted to receivea lace therethrough, wherein the lace brackets are formed separatelyfrom and are coupled to the front arch plates, respectively.
 19. Theprotective athletic garment of claim 17, wherein the front portionincludes a lower portion that extends downwardly and that is adapted tocover an upper abdominal area of a user.
 20. The protective athleticgarment of claim 19, wherein the lower portion of the front portionextends downwardly and is adapted to cover all rib bones of a user. 21.The protective athletic garment of claim 19, wherein the front portionfurther includes an upper portion adapted to protect a chest area of auser, and wherein the lower and upper portions of the front portion areintegrally formed.
 22. The protective athletic garment of claim 19,wherein the front portion further includes a pair of side portionsadapted to wrap about each side of a user.
 23. The protective athleticgarment of claim 17, wherein the rear portion includes a lower portionthat extends downwardly and covers an upper lumbar area of a user. 24.The protective athletic garment of claim 23, wherein the lower portionof the rear portion extends downwardly to cover all rib bones of a user.25. The protective athletic garment of claim 23, wherein the rearportion further includes an upper portion adapted to protect an upperback area of a user, and wherein the lower and upper portions of theback portion are integrally formed.
 26. The protective athletic garmentof claim 23, wherein the rear portion further includes a pair of sideportions adapted to wrap about each side of a user.
 27. The protectiveathletic garment of claim 17, wherein the padding is configured andoriented to provide a gap between the an uppermost portion of thepadding adapted to cover each shoulder of a user, and an upper mostportion of each of the front and rear arch plates when the padding is ina free state.
 28. The protective athletic garment of claim 27, whereinthe gap between the pad and the arch plates is greater than or equal toabout 1 inch.
 29. The protective athletic garment of claim 27, whereinthe padding comprises a foam core and an elastically deformable outercovering.
 30. The protective athletic garment of claim 27, wherein eachepaulet extends downwardly from a horizontal at an angle of greater thanor equal to about 10° when in a free state of movement.
 31. Theprotective athletic garment of claim 11, wherein the shoulder portionfurther includes a pair of epaulets adapted to cover at least a portionof a respective shoulder of a user, and wherein the pair of epaulets arecoupled to the rear and front portions.
 32. The protective athleticgarment of claim 11, wherein the rear portion is substantially rigid.33. The protective athletic garment of claim 11, wherein the frontportion includes a pair of front arch plates each including one of thepair of cavities.
 34. The protective athletic garment of claim 33,further including a pair of lace brackets each including a plurality ofapertures adapted to receive a lace therethrough, wherein the lacebrackets are formed separately from and are coupled to the front archplates, respectively.
 35. The protective athletic garment of claim 11,wherein the front portion includes a lower portion that extendsdownwardly and that is adapted to cover an upper abdominal area of auser.
 36. The protective athletic garment of claim 35, wherein the lowerportion of the front portion extends downwardly and is adapted to coverall rib bones of a user.
 37. The protective athletic garment of claim35, wherein the front portion further includes an upper portion adaptedto protect a chest area of a user, and wherein the lower and upperportions of the front portion are integrally formed.
 38. The protectiveathletic garment of claim 35, wherein the front portion further includesa pair of side portions adapted to wrap about each side of a user. 39.The protective athletic garment of claim 11, wherein the rear portionincludes a pair of rear arch plates.
 40. The protective athletic garmentof claim 11, wherein the rear portion includes a lower portion thatextends downwardly and covers an upper lumbar area of a user.
 41. Theprotective athletic garment of claim 40, wherein the lower portion ofthe rear portion extends downwardly to cover all rib bones of a user.42. The protective athletic garment of claim 40, wherein the rearportion further includes an upper portion adapted to protect an upperback area of a user, and wherein the lower and upper portions of theback portion are integrally formed.
 43. The protective athletic garmentof claim 40, wherein the rear portion further includes a pair of sideportions adapted to wrap about each side of a user.
 44. The protectiveathletic garment of claim 11, further including: a padding memberoperably coupled to at least a select one of the rear portion the frontportion.
 45. The protective athletic garment of claim 44, wherein thepadding is configured and oriented to provide a gap between the anuppermost portion of the padding adapted to cover each shoulder of auser, and an upper most portion of each of the front and rear portionswhen the padding is in a free state.
 46. The protective athletic garmentof claim 45, wherein the gap between the pad and the arch plates isgreater than or equal to about 1 inch.